Hugh Sherman, a former Ohio University faculty member and associate dean, will return to the university Aug. 1 as dean of the College of Business.

Currently dean of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's College of Business, a position he has held since July 2006, Sherman served on the Ohio University faculty from 1995 until assuming his current post. He succeeds Glenn Corlett, who will retire June 30 after 10 years as dean.

"I'm really excited about coming back to Ohio University," Sherman said. "Glenn Corlett - and before him (deans) Bill Day and John Stinson - have built an outstanding business college that was ranked 62nd in the nation by BusinessWeek magazine. There's a real opportunity to build on that."

The college's many external international programs and its innovative curriculum provide important tools to do that, Sherman said.

"Very few universities have so many international connections," he said. "One of my goals will be to bring that internationalization into the classroom and into the curriculum.

"We have to ensure that what students are learning will provide them with the skills they'll need in the global economy. We have an opportunity to do that better than just about anyone in the country," he said, noting the vital role Ohio University can play in developing tomorrow's business leaders.

Sherman also pointed to the college's outstanding faculty. "OU has been really good at attracting great, young faculty members who are coming out of some of the best schools in the country," he said. "That's the most important part of building a college, and Ohio University has done an excellent job of that."

The new dean will assume the reins of a college with a blend of five schools and departments serving some 1,800 undergraduates and 240 graduate students each year. The college offers nine undergraduate majors as well as two domestic and two international master of business administration degrees.

Sherman served in a number of capacities during his 11 years with Ohio University. He was the College of Business associate dean for operations and strategy from July 2005 to June 2006, assistant to the provost for strategic planning from 2004 to 2006 and associate director of the Voinovich Center for Leadership and Public Affairs (now a school) from 1999 to 2006.

He chaired the Department of Management Systems for four years beginning in 2001 and served as assistant dean and director of graduate programs for two years before that. He directed the university's full-time MBA program from 1991 to 2001.

Sherman served on the faculty throughout his time with Ohio -- as an assistant professor of strategy from 1995 to 2000, an associate professor from 2000 to 2006 and a full professor beginning in May 2006. In 2004-05, he served as a member of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee. At Arkansas, he was a professor of management in addition to serving as dean.

"The appointment comes with the unanimous recommendation from the search committee, which had representation from the faculty, staff and students of the college as well as the College of Business' Executive Advisory Board and its Society of Alumni and Friends," Krendl said. "This is a strong endorsement for Hugh's leadership. I look forward to working with him to move the College of Business to the next level."

O'Bleness Professor of Management Systems John Schermerhorn, who chaired the search committee that recommended Sherman, said the successful candidate clearly met the committee's criteria.

"Last June we agreed on a goal: to find a dean who would join and inspire everyone in supporting the college to fully leverage our past accomplishments to achieve even higher levels of excellence and prominence in the future," he said. "Committee members strongly endorsed the appointment of Hugh Sherman. We are looking forward to welcoming him back to campus."

Sherman holds a bachelor's degree in economics and finance from Ontario's Guelph University (1972), an MBA from Northeastern University (1974) and a doctorate in strategic management from Temple University (1995).

Prior to entering academia when he joined Ohio University 12 years ago, he founded and directed International Footwear, which included six factory outlet stores and an import business, and served in various capacities, including as vice president of marketing, for SMH Corp., a Swiss watch and electronics manufacturer.

Krendl commended Corlett for his service to Ohio University. The 1965 alumnus, who holds a bachelor's degree in business administration, has greatly enhanced ties with the business, alumni and international communities in his 10 years as dean, she said.

"Glenn has been a tremendous asset to the College of Business. Under his leadership, both the undergraduate and graduate programs have been widely recognized for innovation and distinction," Krendl said. "He has established strong ties with external constituencies and built momentum for increased visibility for the college's unique programs. He will be leaving the college in a very strong position, and we are indebted to him for his outstanding service to his alma mater."